U.S. Court Sentences Nigerian Professor Nkechy Ezeh to Prison Over $1.4 Million NGO Fraud
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A Nigerian-born education scholar based in the United States, Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after being found guilty of embezzling funds meant for vulnerable preschool children and laundering the proceeds.
The 61-year-old Michigan resident received a 70-month prison sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou for orchestrating a large-scale fraud involving the nonprofit organisation she founded, the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC). She was also handed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax-related offences tied to the scheme.
Federal prosecutors said the fraud diverted approximately $1.4 million in public and donor funds intended to support underserved children through early education programmes in West Michigan communities.
During sentencing, Judge Jarbou reportedly condemned the conduct, describing the operation as extensive and harmful to children who depended on the nonprofit’s services. The court also ordered Ezeh to repay the full $1.4 million to affected donors and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Investigators said the former professor used the diverted funds to finance a luxurious lifestyle, including international travel and family expenses. Court documents further alleged that several relatives were placed on the organisation’s payroll despite performing little or no legitimate work.
Authorities also accused Ezeh of transferring large sums of money to family members in Nigeria through intermediaries.
Founded by Ezeh, ELNC had previously received recognition for supporting early childhood education in underserved communities. However, the organisation shut down in 2023 following the discovery of financial irregularities, leading to the dismissal of dozens of employees and the loss of support services for many preschool children.
One of Ezeh’s associates, former ELNC bookkeeper Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to prison for participating in the fraud scheme.
Federal investigators said the case highlighted the importance of protecting public education and healthcare grant programmes from financial abuse and corruption.
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